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(Patricia) Change
Author: Sophie McCourt
Date: 06-03-15 15:18
Patricia only half listened to what Professor Flitwick was saying. She mechanically copied the information from the blackboard to her parchment about the unlocking charm, not really paying attention to what she was writing. Her tummy felt funny and she wondered if she had eaten something bad during breakfast. Had it been the milk? Or maybe her toast was too burnt and she didn't notice?
She felt relieved when the bell rang. She wrote a note about today's homework (writing an essay about the origin of the Alohomora charm and why it was also known as the Thief's Friend), put her things inside her bag and went to the bathroom. Patricia took a look at her reflection on the mirror and she couldn't help to notice she was a little pale. She put down her bag and went into one of the empty stalls. Moments later she was able to find out the reason of her indisposition.
Quickly she gathered her things and went to the Ravenclaw tower so she could change her part of her underwear. Patricia ignored the bell calling her to the DADA class.
A strange feeling was taking over her: it was a mix of pride because she was growing up and developing, with insecurity. The dormitory was empty because all her roommates were in class. After changing she went to the Hospital Wing. She knew Madam Pomfrey would give her an exemption from today's classes due to her situation. Patricia had heard another girl saying so last term and she was sure she would be no exception. The school nurse received her and somehow she played the part of Patricia's absent mother in a moment so important of her life, giving her some words of advice. Like she predicted, she was dismissed from all the classes of the day and she was told to come back to the Hospital Wing if she didn't feel well.
Patricia returned to the Ravenclaw common room. She wrote a letter to her mother and to Honoria. It was hard to find the right words to use: She ended up using the cliché line that now she had become a woman. Once all the writing was done, she spent some moments looking at the landscape outside, and just reflecting about what happened.
Lunch time was approaching and the common room started to fill in with students. Caleb passed by with some of his friends. Patricia shot a glance at him, but he didn't seem to notice her. Could he tell that she was a woman now, the next time he looked at her? If so, would that change anything between them?
"You missed DADA and Herbology. Are you feeling well?" Susan Fricks asked.
Looking at Susan made Patricia feel superior. She was more mature, more grown up, that her roommate.
"Very much," she replied sending Susan a haughty look. "Would you mind showing me the notes you have taken during classes?"
"Of course not!" Susan started spreading all her parchments at the table. Patricia studied Susan's handwriting thinking how it looked infantile compared to hers. Once again she felt superior as she listened to Susan explaining what they have done during DADA and Herbology. She turned her head when Caleb passed by her. This time he noticed her and he waved at her. She waved back considering this as a sign that somehow he had seen the change in her.
Accidental Admission
Author: Carys
Date: 06-04-15 17:54
The queue for the floo network terminals at St. Emrys wended a short distance down the corridor. Like so many other students, Carys had stayed on campus a bit longer than she might ordinarily to take care of some administrative tasks on this first day of Trinity Term. Not only was it the first day of the spring term, it was also the very last term for Carys. In June, she would graduate and formally open up her photography business with Juliet.
Carys inched her way up the line, feeling tired but also elated. She was very proud of herself for reaching the end of her university career, assuming she didn't choose to go back later for a higher degree. At long last, after a few hardships, her life was exactly where she wanted it to be. She had a loving husband and son, a house, and she was following in her mother's footsteps by opening up the photography studio in Cardiff.
"Hey."
She turned at the familiar voice and smiled. "Hi, Owen. How was your first day back?"
"It was really good… for the most part," Owen replied, with a half-shrug of his shoulders.
"Harsh teachers? Difficult coursework?" Carys queried, but when Owen shook his head, she realized his troubles had nothing to do with his classes. "Oh," she said. "I see."
He ran a hand through his hair, which had that mussed-up look about it and was probably more of a fashion statement than an accident. "Did you know there's a student group that vilifies 'Pures'?"
"No, I didn't," Carys answered. The university had a ton of student groups, some of which were more publicized than others. Not all of them were endorsed by the university either. "Is it new?"
"I'm not sure," Owen said, "but I kind of doubt it. I heard there was a group here during the whole community situation that rallied against the 'Pures', not that I blamed them."
Carys nodded. "Yeah, but that was different. That group was resisting what was going on, and I'm pretty sure there were actual 'Pures' involved and not just those of us lucky enough to not get snatched right from the start. They didn't vilify anyone, except the Minister of Magic and her cronies."
Owen turned to look at her fully. "Were you snatched?"
Carys blinked. "What?"
"You said 'those of us lucky enough to not get snatched'," said Owen. "Did you get snatched? Were you in one of the communities?"
Carys didn't want to tell him the truth, but she also didn't want to lie. Instead, she just stammered, which was answer enough for Owen.
"Which one?" he asked.
By now, they had reached the fireplaces. Carys grabbed a handful of floo powder from the bin on the mantle and said, "I gotta go."
Before Owen could stop her, she stepped into the flames and vanished.
Liam & Lunch
Author: Lysander Stratford
Date: 06-05-15 17:09
"Want an early or late lunch today?" Julian asked, moving behind the counter where Lysander carefully pried apart brand new bags with the bookshoppe's logo and name on the front. Somehow during the packing process, the bags had gotten stuck together. They were sturdy bags, however, as they had to be in order to cart around a load of heavy books.
"I'll go early, I think," Lysander replied. He set the last newly separated bag onto the stack on the counter and then moved out from behind the counter. "Did you have any plans for when you go?"
Julian shook his head. "I was thinking sandwich in the flat, but if you are going out…?"
"It's almost too nice not to venture outdoors," Lysander said. "How about a sandwich from Brews & Stews?"
"Great. Surprise me."
Lysander grinned. "Be careful what you're asking for. Could be I come back with something you'll deem totally inedible."
"I'll take my chances," Julian replied, also grinning and revealing his dimples.
Lysander went upstairs for a bit to use the loo and wash his hands, and then he used his front door to head out to the café. He had only just stepped off the bottom step when his younger brother Liam appeared a few feet away, dressed nicely as always in a set of business robes. The two brothers hadn't spoken in nearly an entire year.
"Liam," Lysander said, by way of greeting. For some reason, he was in too chipper a mood to remember that he was supposed to be mad at Liam for insinuating he was up to no good.
"Lysander," Liam said in a similar manner. He dug his hands into his pockets and said, "It's been a while."
Lysander nodded and indicated with his head that Liam should follow him down the road. Liam fell into step beside him and said, "I'd been thinking about you lately and decided to shelve my pride and pay you a visit."
"That's nice," Lysander replied, sounding neither pleased nor irritated. "How is your wife? How are the kids?"
"They're all doing well. How's Charlotte?"
"Lately she's been wishing to turn 11 in the next coming months because she wants to attend Hogwarts in the fall with Grace."
Liam laughed. "Her time at Hogwarts will start soon enough."
"True," Lysander said. "At least Dylan's still got a while before he gets his letter."
"Dylan?" Liam asked, turning to look at Lysander.
"Oh, right. He was left on my doorstep last fall. When no one came forward to claim him, I filed for adoption. He's officially been my son since January."
Liam's eyebrows were raised, but then his face relaxed and he said, "Congratulations."
"Thanks. Want a sandwich or something?"
Liam shrugged. "Sure, why not?"
The brothers went into the café, where they ordered lunch for themselves and something to-go for Julian. Although a bit forced at times, their conversation remained pleasant throughout their meal. They caught up on their lives from the past year, though Lysander omitted some things, such as his affair with Astrid. The lunch-hour passed quickly, and then it was time for both of them to head back to work.
Program Change
Author: Zabrynna
Date: 06-05-15 19:20
Pippa slides her tray onto the table while stating, "I've changed programs."
"Again?"
Opening a packet of salad dressing, Philippa shrugs. "I have no idea what I'd be doing right now if I'd had to pick something by the time I left Hogwarts. I'd probably be on my fiftieth job within the Ministry."
"Only fiftieth?" Zabrynna teases.
"We can't all be like you and know what we wanted to do with our lives upon leaving school," Pippa says, sticking her tongue out a little as she makes a silly face.
Turning serious Pippa ask, "Truthfully, would you have gone the history route if not for fancying Declan?"
"Absolutely. I knew I wanted to work in some capacity as a history curator or archivist or something else along those lines."
"Whereas I always dreamed of marrying at an early age into money and never having to lift a finger if I didn't so choose."
"I've always wondered how you were Sorted into Slytherin. I always thought you were more Ravenclaw material. Or even Gryffindor."
"Not all that sure myself though at the time I was much more narrow minded. Also, that dream of marrying rich and being a society maven was firmly entrenched."
"You aren't narrow minded now and weren't really back then."
"All right, maybe I'm not now, at least about most topics and issues, but when I was eleven, there were certain things. Not so much because of my parents but because of my grandparents. Still and all, I never have known exactly why Slytherin. The Sorting Hat just sort of hmmmmmed then proclaimed for all to hear that's where I belonged. I remember wondering in fourth year if it was because I could be a snob."
Pointing her fork at Pippa Zabrynna says with a grin, "Okay, I will admit that you could be a little bit of one, especially about your shoes."
Pippa sticks a foot out enough as to be visible from under the table, showing off a stylish pump. "Still am when it comes to shoes. Another reason to marry wealthy or figure out a career that makes me loads of galleons. That reminds me, there's a sale at McBloom and McMuck in Hogsmeade. Come with me after class to check it out?"
"I can for a little while but then I have a short shift at the museum."
Pippa rummages in her bag for a sale paper for the shoppe. Models walk in and out of view, showing off some of the shoes on discount. She and Zabrynna spend the rest of lunch discussing the different pairs shown, only switching to another topic of conversation as they walk to a class they have together, exchanging up to date information they've each heard about the class's professor.
(Susan) The Model
Author: Wendy Mills
Date: 06-06-15 15:14
Susan didn't have classes on Tuesday afternoon. After History of Magic, the only class she would have was Astronomy in the evening. She used the free afternoon to get ahead on homework and once everything was done she went to the common commons.
It was a sunny day and on another occasion she would go outside, to the grounds. Most of the students took every chance they got to go outside after spending the winter months locked inside the castle. The only reason Susan didn't join them was because of Titus' Hogwarts model. He had won such prize at the Easter Egg Hunt and since then he had been building it at the common commons, patiently. Susan had noticed it and she had offered to help him, even if she knew nothing about modeling construction. She found it amazing how the model was an exact replica of the school, with little figures that moved inside the castle, including a mini Dumbledore. Susan had never met Albus Dumbledore while he was alive but she had heard her parents talking about him and he would be a frequent figure on the news.
Susan would help Titus with the pieces, but he was the one who did all the assembly, since he had more experience than her. One day he asked her if she didn't want to give it a try, but she refused, afraid she would mess everything up. Besides, she liked to watch him work. It was funny the way he looked at the foundations of the castle from every angle and tried to figure out what would be the next piece to use.
Once she arrived at the common commons she moved towards the model, feeling proud of it. At first it didn't look like a castle at all but now it resembled Hogwarts more and more. Susan could already guess the shape of the astronomy tower, and on what side of the castle the Great Hall was located at. Titus told her that once the structure was completed they would have to paint it and at the end hopefully it would look exactly like their school.
Susan contemplated the model. Titus wasn't around so she did not dare to touch it. She was hoping he would be working on the model so she could help him.
"That silly doll house," Tom Howard said, approaching the table the model was set at.
Tom was one of her Ravenclaw house colleagues. He called the Hogwarts model a doll house and he liked to make fun of it. He inspected it and he said it looked all crooked and with a small breeze it would fall like a fragile card castle.
"No it won't!"
"Why don't we test my theory?" he said, his wand up, ready to cast a spell that would make a mass of air move towards the model.
"
No!" Susan said, placing herself in front of the model, protecting it with her body. "Tom, please!" she was afraid he wouldn't go easy on his spell and tore the castle down.
"Come on Susan, don't you have faith in your doll house?"
"I…"
He started to cast the spell but he was interrupted when he was hit by a full body-bind curse. Tom fell on the floor, causing some of the students nearby to laugh. Susan looked at Titus, who had just cursed Tom. He grinned and passed over his immobile body and took a look at the model.
"Not a scratch. Good."
"Aren't you going to set him free?" Susan asked, as Titus put his bag down, and started to pull his sleeves up, ready to spend more time working on the model. He shrugged his shoulders. Susan moved towards Tom whose eyes were the only thing moving. "I'm going to let you go if you promise me to never tease our model again. If you do so, I'll make sure Titus will do a lot more than a full body-bind curse. He's a Nott you know? He could turn your into a toad, set you into the lake and no one would ever find out."
There was terror is Tom's eyes when he stood up and looked at Titus after Susan had set him free. He walked away as fast as he could from the model.
"You know I can't do that sort of magic, don't you? Just because I'm a Nott it doesn't mean that I can do that sort of things. Yet, at least."
"I know. But Tom doesn't," Susan said with a smile and she joined Titus in the model construction.
Rusty Is Not Beige
Author: S Snape
Date: 06-06-15 18:59
Arms crossed, Severus disdainfully barks, "Miss Lehane, explain the lumpy glop in your cauldron."
"Isn't it bee and wasp sting ointment, Professor Snape?"
"Is it?" is his clipped response.
Lucy Lehane peers into her cauldron then bends over her copy of Advanced Potion-Making by Libatius Borage, fretfully scanning each line of instruction for today's assignment. A small moan escapes her lips upon becoming cognizant of omitting a vital step in the process of transforming a thin scarlet liquid into a smooth, creamy beige ointment.
She scurries to start over as Severus glides away. His next stop is the station where Cody Sweet gives the impression of being harried. Rapidly checking from textbook to cauldron then back again, brow furrowed, Sweet volunteers, "I've done something wrong, professor, but can't peg what it is."
"I should think that for a N.E.W.T. level course, one might known the difference between clockwise and counterclockwise, Mr. Sweet."
The furrows deepen, Sweet certain he's been stirring the correct direction with each step requiring such action. "Sir?"
Severus walks away, intoning without looking back, "Widdershins, Mr. Sweet, widdershins."
"Temperature check, Miss Dalton, Mr. Travers."
By class's end 1:30 the results of the bee and wasp sting ointment widely vary, as usual. Accepting a jar containing a rust colored substance, Severus sighs loudly enough the student scuttles away. If the student had had a tail, said tail would have been tucked. Severus easily imagines a petrified yelp to complete the image.
When the classroom has emptied of sixth years Severus decamps to his office. There, he dons thick, double layered gloves prior to ladeling into a flask a viscous potion of a shade that puts him in mind of a room full of Weasleys. Only after the flask is safely ensconced in a protective case does he remove the gloves.
Exiting the dungeons and then the castle, Severus briskly walks the path into the village. Halfway along the lane between school gate and Hogsmeade someone awaits. Severus hands over the flask containing case admonishing, "Remember not to handle the contents without proper protection."
"I know," is the reply accompanied by a curt nod.
The potion exchange made, Severus returns to the castle as briskly as he'd left, looking forward to a spot of tea and quiet before his office hours begin.
With Bianca In The Library (Cat)
Author: Fionna
Date: 06-07-15 19:03
Yawning and putting her head down on the table, Cat sighs, "I want a nap."
Taking a book from the top of the stack between them Bianca asks, "Late night?"
"Not really, no. Mostly it's that I didn't sleep well. I was either overly hot or freezing. Couldn't get comfortable."
"I've had nights like that."
"If this weren't the first week of classes, I'd consider skipping just so I could sleep."
"Only drawback there is possibly not sleeping well again at bedtime."
"I know. I suppose if tonight is like last night, I'll take a sleeping potion. Hate to rely on that but with a three hour block for one course in the morning, I can't be dozing off. The professor can has a stick up his arse about that sort of thing."
"I can't believe I'm saying this but I should think a professor has a right to have a stick up his arse if students are napping while class is in session."
"Excellent point."
"Did I tell you about the two last term who got thrown out of one of my classes?"
Cat shakes her head. "I don't think so."
"They were sitting in the first row, having a running chat as the professor were going over some crucial information for a massive project. We had handouts on it, of course, but she was wanting to ensure everyone was clear on the instructions. These two yabos were nattering away as if sitting at home over a cuppa. Professor stopped, said something to them. They shut their gobs but as soon as the professor started talking again, those two picked up their conversation. Professor stopped again. Told them to split up. They refused. Said they weren't going to be called on the carpet and treated like they're seven. Then stop acting like children. Show some respect. They apologized but still wouldn't split up. Professor gave them the evil eye but went on with going over the project. She turned her back to point to some things she had on the blackboard. Soon as she did, the two started whispering. Without turning back around to look, the professor told them their whispering skills needed work, why don't they do that elsewhere? Neither moved. She told them either they got up and left under their own steam or she'd make them leave."
"So they left?"
"Yeah, but both protested and threatened to report the professor. She told them to go right ahead. Neither returned to class the rest of the term so I gather they both dropped."
"I would be morbidly embarrassed if at our age I was singled out by a professor for something as stupid as being unable to stop talking."
"These two didn't seem bothered by it. In fact, they seemed annoyed that the professor was irritated with them."
Bianca starts to say something else but stops when Cat suddenly leans over, grabs her arm and gives it a squeeze. "There's Amalia Ricchetti. I saw her yesterday. She was covering bruises again. Christopher and I are going to talk to her about all these accidents she's been having since last term."
"Didn't you tell me that one of those involved her boyfriend hitting her with a Quidditch batch, supposedly by accident?"
Nodding Cat says, "A huge dark purple blotch on her arm. She said it wasn't broken but I wouldn't be surprised to find out it was at least cracked."
"Call her over."
"What?"
"Call her over. Be casual then look at where she's trying to cover those bruises, one of which I can see from here, and ask if she's all right."
Nodding again, Cat half rises, waving a hand. "Amalia," she calls out as loudly as allowed in the library.
Hearing her, Amalia raises a hand in greeting, starting their way, Cat wondering what excuse Amalia will have this time.